2016 Chicago Bears – Bold Predictions
4.) Kevin White Will Lead the Bears in Receiving Yards in 2016 – Clyde Speller
After being selected No. 7 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, no one expected to wait an entire year to finally see Kevin White on the field. Now that White has gone through rigorous rehab for a stress fracture in his left shin, he’s now primed to make his NFL debut in 2016.
The West Virginia product has impressed everyone within the Bears organization this offseason during organized team activities, including general manager Ryan Pace. White has displayed the same speed and explosiveness that attracted many teams while in college. Practicing without restrictions at this point gives us a great sign that everything is looking positive for White and Chicago’s offense.
According to White, he’s at 100 percent, and “everything is full go.” Assuming that this will resonate in the regular season, the Bears’ passing attack should be a potent one with fellow receiver Alshon Jeffery in the mix. Jeffery, who led the team with 54 receptions and 807 receiving yards last year, might be used as the team’s possession receiver now. Already having the reputation as one of the league’s big targets, Jeffery should draw a lot of double-teams, something that White should benefit from.
The 6’3, 217-pound White is a freakish athlete for a receiver his size. White’s 4.35 speed is definitely fast enough to take the top off of opposing defenses for huge chunks of yardage. Along with tight end Zach Miller attracting attention across the middle, White should be the recipient of many long balls from quarterback Jay Cutler. This is exactly why White will lead the Bears in receiving yards in 2016.
With a year’s worth of mental reps under his belt, White shouldn’t have any problem adjusting to the offensive scheme. Yes, Adam Gase is no longer the team’s offensive coordinator, but the game plan will virtually be the same with Dowell Loggains as the new OC. So getting into the full swing of things shouldn’t be as difficult going into training camp.
So there you have it. Kevin White will explode onto the scene in 2016 as the Bears leading receiver, giving Chicago one of the best receiving duos in the NFL.
Next: Bold Prediction #5